Learning to cook

We've started a new practice in our house where one of the kids gets to choose the dinner menu, shop for the ingredients, and then (with varying degrees of help) prep and cook the meal.

Austin chose to make tacos.  He wrote out his grocery list and then helped me shop.

 Clayton pitched in and helped grate the cheese.

 Austin browned the beef, warmed the black beans, and helped assemble the tacos.

 Caroline pitched in to make the guacamole. She can now make it independently without any help at all!

A week or so later, Caroline chose to make black bean and chicken enchiladas.

I really enjoy doing this with the kids and hope I can continue it. I think it will be a win-win. I'll get more help in the kitchen and they'll transition into adulthood already knowing how to cook!

My boys

Domenick's Birthday

How fun on a warm spring day - a birthday party playing flag football and soccer!

Lake Forest's "Play Out" event at Mellody Farm

The Open Lands group of Lake Forest hosted a "play out" event at Mellody Farm, a great open land space with a pond, trail, and forest. 

They had a number of different stations for the kids to participate in - pond netting, tree climbing, fort/shelter building, etc. 

 Check out the amazing fort we built!

Clayton's Recycling Project

For a school project, Clayton had to recycle materials to create something new.  He took old glass jars and bottles and created a musical instrument. We filled each bottle a precise amount so that when hit with a spoon, it would produce a certain note.  He had 5 notes on the scale and could play Mary had a little Lamb with his bottles.  He was so proud!

Wacky mis-match day at school

Girl cousins play date!

St Joseph Talent Show

Caroline had 2 acts in the St Joseph Talent show this year.  I was SO proud of her for doing it in the first place, and even more proud that she did so well. All the kids performed in the gym in front of the entire school (in addition to many parents)!

Here she is doing her Matilda solo.

She also sang a duet with Elizabeth

Way to go Caroline!

2 wheeler

Caroline taught Austin to ride a 2-wheeler over spring break.  The kids were playing outside and Caroline came inside to tell me that she had Austin practice balancing a bit on her old 2-wheeler, and then had him try to ride it. ...and he did! Just like that!

Spring Red Rose Concert

Caroline had her final Red Rose concert of the season and even had a mini-solo in one of the songs.
She has had such a great time in Prelude Choir but is more than ready for Concert Choir in the fall!

Easter

Family Easter picture after church

For once, Easter was actually warm, so the kids were thrilled to be outside and fly kites.

Outdoor easter egg hunting

Easter dinner